Dell 8400 Ethernet Cable unplugged???

Question

I've been fully connected with my desktop & laptop for a year & suddenly I can't connect with the ethernet connection. I'm able to connect to my cable modem with a USB but the router will not work with USB.

My system tells me my network adapter (Broadcom NetXtreme 57xx Gigabit controller) is working fine. I did try to jiggle it a few times but no luck.

Can I buy an external PCI card to test 2 see if it truly is a bad adapter or do I have to open up my computer & either remove the old one or add a new slot??

My 1st post to Dell forum. Thanks ahead of time for consideration of a response.

fireberd · Answer

You may have a bad Ethernet cable or maybe it just needs 'reseating' (unplugged and then plugged back in on each side).  Can you connect the Ethernet cable directly to the cable modem and will it work (bypassing any router)?  If it does then there is nothing wrong with your Ethernet hardware (and this is something that rarely goes bad).    It connecting direct works OK then the problem is in the router, not the PC.

fireberd · Answer

I would still think the Ethernet NIC is a log shot at being bad.  Try uninstalling the NIC in the Windows Device Manager then restart Windows and it will be detected and reinstalled.    Also, when you connect the PC directly to the Modem, (1) repower the Modem so it resync's then restart the PC so it has a 'fresh' install/restart with the Modem.  See if that helps.

bugeye01 · Answer

No go - I tried that already. Like I said, the cables are fine. Probably not a big deal 2 put another PCI slot in but its been awhile sine I opened up 1 of these boys.

bugeye01 · Answer

Hey fireberd, I've tried those 2 also with no luck. I agree it sounds odd to me too but I don't see tahat I have any other choice.

Networking, Internet, & Bluetooth

Dell 8400 Ethernet Cable unplugged???

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